Vacuum aid system and method for total body cleansing

ABSTRACT

A portable vacuum cleansing system and method having a variable suction control, multiple cleaning head attachments, and an oscillating mechanism for exfoliating and deep cleaning various body parts. The system also preferably includes a UV LED light source for illumination and antimicrobial treatment. The system may be used for gentle and stimulating removal of dander, dirt, and foreign particles from the body and scalp, without irritation. Interchangeable brush and comb attachments are available for personal use and are distinguishable by color for use between family members. The system may also be used for removal of dander, dirt, and foreign particles from pets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for cleansing the hair and skin and other body parts of individuals or animals. More particularly, the present invention hereof relates to the removal of dirt, debris, dandruff, lice, including eggs and nits, fleas, vermin, and other unwanted matter from the hair and skin and other body parts of individuals or animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a body vacuum device to be used with a vacuum source to exfoliate skin and cleansing of dirt, dander and foreign objects from body parts of individuals and animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to the total body cleansing without use of water, harsh soaps and lotions, by means of controlled velocity vacuum suction, and interchangeable attachments which oscillate to aid in the removal of unwanted matter and to stimulate the user's skin. Variable speed velocity of suction from vacuum devices enables the user to experience a fresh stimulating airflow and massaging action via a diverse selection of cleansing and grooming attachments. In an effort to contribute to environmental friendly activity, the present invention prides itself as a pioneer concept of total body cleansing in an era of going green by eliminating the necessity for soap and water. Thus, the present invention may be used in remote areas or under austere conditions, such as on military operations or in less-developed countries, where water is scarce and can be most effectively used for human consumption.

The system of the present invention may be used for gentle and stimulating removal of dander, dirt, and foreign particles from the body and scalp, without irritation. Interchangeable brush and comb attachments are available for personal use and are distinguishable by color for use between family members. The system may also be used for removal of dander, dirt, and foreign particles from pets.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a portable body vacuum cleansing system and method having a variable suction control, multiple cleaning head attachments and an oscillating mechanism for exfoliating and deep cleaning various body parts. The system also preferably includes a UV LED light source for illumination and antimicrobial treatment of the user's skin. The system also preferably includes an articulating connection between the handle and the head portions to allow rotational angular adjustment of the orientation between the handle and the head portion of the body vacuum, thus facilitating access of the head portion and cleaning head attachments to less accessible areas of the user's or animal's body.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a portable cleansing device is a unit that may be used with a portable vacuum system, and provides variable suction velocity and interchangeable attachments for specific body parts, so that the entire body may be cleansed with the necessity for soap and water. The present invention also provides a more efficient approach for treatment of individuals or animals infested with lice, including nits. More particularly, the present invention provides an assembly for dislodging, gathering, and suctioning lice and nits from individuals and animals.

In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a portable body vacuum cleansing system with a hollow handle portion having a first end adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and a second end adapted for making an articulating connection to a head portion, a hollow head portion having a first end in an articulating connection and fluid communication with the handle portion, and a second end adapted to slidably receive a flange member, a flange member slidably mounted in the head portion, the head portion adapted to removably receive a plurality of grooming attachments; an oscillation mechanism configured to provide relative oscillation motion between the flange member and the head portion; and a plurality of grooming attachments adapted to be removably received by the flange member.

For a more close understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the oscillation mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base to the leftmost position in the head portion.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base to the center position in the head portion.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base to the rightmost position in the head portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a brush attachment installed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a nit comb attachment installed.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the head portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a hair comb attachment installed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the body vacuum 20 of the present invention comprises a handle portion 22 and a head portion 24. The handle portion 22 is configured with a vacuum source adapter 26 which is designed to accommodate the installation of a hose or other device providing a vacuum source for the operation of the body vacuum. The vacuum source may be any of a number of mechanisms, including portable vacuum sources powered by electrical, jet or internal combustion engines. The body vacuum device 20 may be formed from any suitable material such as high density plastic, metal, or the like. In use, the body vacuum device attaches, as noted above, to a standard vacuum hose of any suitable vacuum cleaner or other vacuum source.

As shown in FIG. 2, the handle portion 22 is attached to the head portion 24 using an articulating connection consisting of a raised ring 38 on the handle portion which is received in a recessed circular channel 40 on the head portion 24, preferably by mating through an interference fit. This articulating connection allows for fluid communication between the handle and head portions to facilitate the flow of vacuum through an opening 78 in the center of the raised ring 38 on the handle portion 32, which mates to a similar opening 80 in the center of the recessed circular channel 40 on the head portion 24. Alternatively, fluid communication between the handle and head portions can be provided through an opening 32 in the distal end of the handle portion 22 which allows flow into the hollow inside of the head portion 24. This articulating connection also allows rotational adjustment between the handle and the head portion of the body vacuum 20, thus facilitating access of the head portion to less accessible areas of a user's or an animal's body. Optionally, the raised ring 38 may be configured with one or more detents comprising raised ridges or dimples 42 or inverted dimples which may be configured to mate with similar configurations on the recessed circular channel 40 on the head portion 24 to facilitate in maintaining a selected angular orientation between the handle portion 22 and the head portion 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rotatable suction metering collar 28 is configured with an opening 30 to selectively covers all or portions of an opening in the handle portion 22 that is in fluid communication with the vacuum source. When the suction metering collar 28 is rotated so that the opening 30 of the suction metering collar 28 is aligned with the opening in the handle portion 22, vacuum suction is diverted through the openings, thus reducing the level of vacuum at the head portion 24 of the device. Alternatively, when the suction metering collar 28 is rotated so the solid section of the collar 28 completely covers the opening 30 in the handle portion 22, all of the vacuum suction from the vacuum source is available to the attachments on the head portion 24 of the device. By metering the size of the opening created by the opening 30 of the suction metering collar 28 in relation to the opening in the handle portion 22, any level of suction between low (fully open) and high (fully closed) can be achieved.

As shown in FIG. 2, a charging cord may be attached to the power adapter jack 44 to convert available alternating supply current to direct current for charging the battery bank 70. Independent power switches 34 and 36 control the power from the power adapter jack 44 and/or the battery bank 70 to the oscillation motor 58 and the ultraviolet lights 50, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head portion 24 is configured with an opening from which vacuum may be applied to various attachments which are removably attachable to the head portion 24 by the head attachment flange 48 of the head attachment base 46 which is slidably mounted on the head 24. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the head attachment flange 48 on the head portion 24 is surrounded on the outside of its perimeter by a plurality of light sources 50, preferably ultraviolet LED light sources in a recessed configuration on the head 24. As is known by those of ordinary skill in the art, these light sources may be selected from a plurality of available illumination devices, including LED's, incandescent bulbs, LCD's, lasers, laser LED's, infrared LED's, fluorescent lamps, etc. These light sources may aid in illuminating the area to be cleansed by the body vacuum 20, and may additionally provide a sterilizing, disinfecting, antimicrobial and/or insecticide effect upon the treated areas.

As shown in FIG. 4, the head attachment base 46 is slidably mounted on the head 24 and configured to oscillate in motion relative to the body vacuum head portion 24. This oscillation motion is transferred to the head attachment attached to the head attachment base 46 by the head attachment flange 48. As indicated in FIG. 4, a pair of detent openings 68 facilitates the attachment of the head attachments to the head attachment flange 48.

As shown in FIG. 4, a scotch yoke mechanism provides the oscillation drive for the head attachments from an electric motor 58. Electric motor 58 is mounted to the motor mount plate 60 portion of the head portion 24 of the body vacuum device. The motor 58 rotates a motor disc 62 with an offset pin 64 attached. The offset pin 64 is received in a slot 66 in the head attachment base 46. The head portion 24 is configured to constrain the head attachment base 46 to only allow lateral movement. When the motor 58 is activated, the offset pin 64 drives the head attachment base 46 laterally.

As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the rotational movement of the motor disk 62 causes the offset pin 64 to produce a translation oscillation motion in the head attachment base 46 due to the movement of the offset pin 64 in the head attachment base slot 66.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the head portion showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base 46 to the leftmost position in the head portion 24.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the head portion showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base 46 to the center position in the head portion 24.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head portion showing the oscillation mechanism producing a translation motion of the head attachment base 46 to the rightmost position in the head portion 24.

As is known by those of ordinary skill in the art, there are a number of alternate oscillation mechanisms which could also be used. These mechanisms include: a shaker, comprising an offset mass, as used for cell phone vibration; a motor which turns an unbalanced weight; a rotary mechanism for rotating or spinning an attachment; random orbital drives, as used in handheld sanders to provide a random pattern of movement; planetary gear mechanisms, similar to commercial stand mixers, employing rotation and circular movement; electromagnetic mechanisms, similar to a hair clipper or electric toothbrush, having generally higher frequency (speed) oscillations; and mechanical movement driven by air flow, which would oscillate (flap) back and forth due to vacuum flow, as just a few examples.

As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, a plurality of attachments may be used with the body vacuum 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a brush attachment 52 incorporates a plurality of bristles 72 for removal of debris from the user's hair or skin.

As shown in FIG. 9, the nit comb attachment 54 incorporates a plurality of nit comb teeth 74 for removal of eggs and other unwanted items such as lice, debris, or dander.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hair comb attachment 56 incorporates a plurality of hair combed teeth 76 having a spherical or other rounded configuration at the ends to minimize irritation of scalp or other skin surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 11, the primary power source for the oscillation motor 58 is a rechargeable battery bank 70. A charging cord attached to the power adapter jack 44 converts available alternating supply current to direct current for charging the battery bank 70. The device 20 can be operated from the charging cord if the battery 70 is discharged. Independent switches 34 and 36 control the power to the oscillation motor 58 and the ultraviolet LED lights 50, respectively.

As is known by those of ordinary skill in the art, additional components may include circuitry for the light array 50, potentiometer for ultraviolet LED light brightness, potentiometer for the oscillation motor 58 speed control, circuitry to control battery charging, additional status lights, an additional master power switch, and timers.

The present invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for removing debris from hair, skin and scalp, said apparatus comprising: a. a hollow handle portion having a first end adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and a second end adapted for making an articulating connection to a head portion; a hollow head portion having a first end in an articulating connection and fluid communication with the handle portion, and a second end adapted to slidably receive a flange member; a flange member slidably mounted in the head portion, the head portion adapted to removably receive a plurality of grooming attachments; an oscillation mechanism configured to provide relative oscillation motion between the flange member and the head portion; and a plurality of grooming attachments adapted to be removably received by the flange member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oscillation mechanism comprises an electric motor.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the oscillation mechanism further comprises a scotch yoke driven by the electric motor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the head portion comprises a plurality of light sources.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the light sources are LEDs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the light sources are UV LEDs.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grooming attachments comprise a brush attachment, a nit comb attachment and a hair comb attachment.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle portion is configured with an opening and a rotatable suction metering collar to selectively cover a portion of the opening in the handle. 